China Bans LPG Exports to North Korea

China has imposed restrictions of exports of petroleum products, including liquid petroleum gas (LPG), to North Korea under United Nations sanctions over its nuclear and missile development, China's commerce ministry said September 22. In its translated statement it referred to liquefied natural gas (LNG), which North Korea cannot import.

Beijing said it will ban exports of condensate and LPG starting September 23. It will also limit the supply of refined oil to North Korea. From October 1 to December 31, 2017, China will not export more than 500,000 barrels of refined petroleum products. From January 1, 2018, the export will be restricted to 2mn barrels. However crude oil has not been included in the list of banned products.

The commerce ministry said that imports of textiles from North Korea would also be banned immediately.

China is a close trading partner of North Korea but has been under pressure from the international community to tighten international sanctions against Pyongyang in order to rein in the latter's nuclear and missile program. 

Shardul Sharma